For Home Owners

Flood information

The Water Systems Council provides valuable information for maintaining your well head. If your well head is flooded, please click here for an informational file. Many other information sheets are also available, click here.

NECN has set up a website with helpful information for victims of the flooding, click here for information including temporary housing, insurance questions, cleaning and water removal.

Not all wells are created equally. Each well is unique in terms of its geological setting, its yield, its water quality, its construction method, its depth, and many other factors.

Your well may be quite different from your neighbor’s well. Water wells are used for many purposes: residential drinking water, municipal water supply, irrigation, industrial cooling, monitoring of the groundwater, and geothermal heat pumps.

Massachusetts is a diverse state geologically. Many different types of bedrock are found, including granite, schist, shale, and sandstone. When a well is drilled into these rock formations, water is derived from the fissures and cracks in the rock. Some rock formations produce greater amounts of water than others. Some produce large quantities of water, suitable for municipal wells. Most wells produce a sufficient quantity of water for the needs of a typical home.

In some areas of the state wells are constructed in the earth above the bedrock. These wells, called sand or gravel wells, are fitted with a well screen at the bottom of the casing that holds back the sand or gravel and allows the water to come into the well. Often, these wells produce very high yields. In Massachusetts these types of wells are generally found in glacial deposits along river valleys and throughout Cape Cod and the Islands.

A private water system consists of a water supply well, a pump, usually a tank, controls, and sometimes a water filter. Some well drillers provide all of these services; others specialize in just one or a few areas.

All well drillers in Massachusetts are required to be certified, evidencing that a well driller meets state established standards of experience and technical ability. Before drilling a well, most towns require that a well permit be obtained from the Board of Health. When you need a water well or service we recommend you contact a MGWA member. He is an experienced professional ready to serve you. In choosing a driller you should consider the following factors:

• A local well driller will be familiar with your area, the expected subsurface conditions, will know approximately how deep your well should be, and will be versed in local government regulations.

• A written estimate, proposal or contract should be provided beforehand clearly stating the scope of the work and the costs.

• Does the contractor carry complete liability insurance and can he provide a certificate of insurance?

• What is the company’s reputation for service, should the need arise?